France & Ireland Announce the opening of Consulates-General in Melbourne
In a further strengthening of Victoria’s relationship with the European Union (EU) and its member states, Global Victoria was delighted to learn that both France and Ireland have announced their intentions to open consulates in Melbourne. The new consulates will foster greater collaboration, maximise trade and investment opportunities and enhance Victoria’s bilateral ties with both France and Ireland.
In April, the Victorian Government welcomed an announcement from H.E. Mr. Pierre-Andé Imbert, the Ambassador of France in Australia, of the French Government’s intention to open a new Consulate General of France in Melbourne.
The Ambassador said: “This decision marks an important moment in diplomatic relations between France and Australia and reflects our interest in developing cooperation with Australia. It mirrors the progression of the French community in Australia.”
This year marks the 170th anniversary of the 1854 opening of French diplomatic representation in Melbourne. The new Consulate General opening is scheduled for September 2024.
In March, Global Victoria also welcomed the announcement by the Irish Government to open a Consulate General in Melbourne.
Global Victoria looks forward to supporting the French and Irish embassies in Canberra to open their respective consulates in Melbourne and working closely with their new teams to support Victorian companies export to and expand into the dynamic French, Irish and wider European markets.
Victoria values its long standing, multifaceted relationship with France covering trade and investment, research collaboration as well as strong people to people and cultural ties.
There were 8,073 Victorian residents born in France according to the 2021 Census, the second largest France-born population in Australia after New South Wales. France is the European Union’s second largest economy after Germany and is the EU’s largest destination for foreign investment.
With two-way merchandise trade valued at $2.1 billion in 2022-23, France is an important trading partner for Victoria. France is also one of the largest foreign investors in Victoria, with French capital equal to $5.4 billion invested over the past six years, creating more than 1,300 jobs in Victoria.
to pursue stronger trade and investment ties across a range of sectors.
The Victorian Government also works closely with the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), with its Melbourne office based at International Chamber House,
to foster further connections and international business opportunities. The new commitment by the French Government to open a Consulate General in Melbourne follows the 2023 opening of a Victorian Government Trade and Investment office for Europe in Paris.
Under the leadership of Victoria’s Commissioner for Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, Gönül Serbest, the new office is enhancing the State’s engagement across the region and supporting Victorian companies to expand to the dynamic European market. Since opening in 2023, the Paris office has delivered several trade missions, including Viva Technology in Paris, Formnext in Frankfurt, Bio Europe Spring conference in Barcelona, and Cosmoprof Worldwide in Bologna.
Victoria-Ireland Market Snapshot
Victoria shares historical people-to-people links and a close bilateral relationship with Ireland. The State is home to the second largest Irish-born community in Australia - 17,456 people according to the ABS Census 2021. Victoria also shares deep economic links with Ireland, particularly within the
manufacturing, agribusiness, technology and renewable energy sectors.
Victoria is proud to be home to leading Irish companies including Glen Dimplex, Allegion, Mainstream Renewables, CRH and Linesight.
The Irish economy is mixed, open, export-driven, and the country is one of the best-performing economies in the European Union (EU). With its population of just over 5 million people, over the past decades, the Irish economy has shifted from being agriculturally based to a leading knowledge economy,
focusing on services and high-tech industries, particularly in the technology, pharmaceutical, and MedTech sectors.
As a member state of the EU, Ireland uses the Euro as its currency. Its strategic geographical location positions the country as a gateway to both the EU’s Single Market and the United Kingdom’s market, with which it shares a land border.
On the diplomatic front, 2021 marked the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia. Global Victoria maintains strong collaboration with the Irish Embassy in Canberra, IDA Ireland (Ireland’s investment
attraction agency, with an office in Sydney) and Enterprise Ireland (the country’s trade promotion authority with an office in Melbourne).
The Victorian Government also works closely with the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce to foster further connections and international business opportunities.
Victoria continues to expand its engagement with Ireland in-market and is supported by the Victorian Government Trade and Investment office located in London under the leadership of the Agent-General to the UK & Commissioner for Victoria for Europe, Tim Dillon.
Recent activities
Global Victoria hosts event on the economic opportunities for Victorian businesses through AUKUS
On 11 April, Global Victoria hosted an event in partnership with the British Consulate General in Melbourne on the economic opportunities for Victorian businesses through AUKUS – the defence and security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and United States.
The event brought together participants from across business, government and academia. Participants heard from Dr. Alessio Patalano, an expert in military history and strategy in East Asia from King’s College London and UK Consul General in Melbourne, Steph Lysaght.
There was strong interest amongst in how Victoria’s strengths – particularly in its university sector, skills capabilities, research and development, AI and quantum – could contribute to Australia’s role in the partnership.
Victoria celebrates its dynamic economic links with the European Union
On 23 May, the Treasurer of Victoria and Minister for Economic Growth, Mr. Tim Pallas MP celebrated Victoria’s dynamic and strengthening relationship with the European Union and its member states at an event jointly organised by the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Australia, the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Melbourne) and the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
The event’s audience included European and Victorian business representatives and members of the EU Consular Corps and featured an interview with the European Union’s Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Gabriele Visentin.
This was followed by a panel discussion comprised of member companies of each chamber invested in Victoria on the growing opportunities for collaboration within the circular economy and sustainability.
The Treasurer’s speech underscored the strong momentum that has been generated since the opening of the Paris office and the important role Europe plays in the State as a top source region for FDI.
Looking ahead
- Austrade-led Trade Mission: 4-6 June Money 20/20 Europe in Amsterdam with a UK in-market program from 28 May – 31 May
- Global Victoria Trade Mission: 9-16 June - London Tech Week – the UK’s flagship tech event.
Stay in the loop with our international team
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